I happen to be in England (as I type this) for two weeks on a business trip... meanwhile my MC has just arrived to the VDC in California... oh the sweet irony To add insult to injury, I'm like 10 miles away from the city of Southamptom.... I'm based in Winchester.

Anyway, I'm wondering if anybody knew if there are any good/rare accessories to pick up here, while in the UK that may be difficult to get back on the States?

Open to all suggestions (limitations are that what I end up getting must fit in a semi-large luggage bag... and not bankrupt me : -)

 

I don't know how hard the european (split view) side rear view mirrors are to get states side but a set would be on my short list. The part numbers are posted somewhere on NAM.

 

jjr sf:

A factory customer service point of contact (phone numbers) would be helpful. Someone(s) whom we could talk to when other sources of info dry up. Also, see what nifty badges other Mini-owners are displaying and try to grab some up. In UK and continent, vehicle owners often display novel badges on their car grills. Meanwhile, enjoy your stay and be safe on those motorways. After an evening at the pub, a couple of pints of ale, shooting darts, and eating open-face cheese & onion sandwiches, the drive back to the hotel might find you driving on the right (wrong) side of the road. Not good for one's health. Thanks for asking, BTW. -- Vim

 

a nice British chick in the passenger seat

 

The first aid kit that you can get for European models come to mind first on list. I had someone get me one for my VW many years ago, while they were in England. It was a conversation piece to have in the car, when I went to car shows, as the US versions of my car did not come with one, and you could not order the kit in the States. Some unique European grill badges also come to mind.

 

I need a set of warning triangle brackets for an 08. help a fellow MINI owner out. PLEASE!

 

A Burberry's Mini cover

 

grab yourself some of those sexy JCW R56 seats

 

Go down to Southampton & get some pictures of all the Minis waiting to crossover & then tell us what color is most popular. I think I would like to see that if I was there. What color did you order? Have you taken a ride on the Milenium Wheel or maybe walked accross the Tower Bridge?

 

Thanks to all for the ideas about the badges and first aid kit; those were exactly the kind of trinkets I was like

... I won't make it to London (for pleasure) til next weekend This weekend Stonehenge and Salisbury are on plan for Saturday; Sunday is yet TBD.

Luckily I don't have to do any driving, I'm traveling with other two coworkers and one of them knows this area like the back of his hand. And he doesn't drink any alcohol, so that's a win-win all around.

 

I have always wondered about the genesis of this expression. How often does one study the back of his hand, and why?

 

Don't waste too much time at Stonehenge, BORING! And they won't let you get even close to the place. Go to London, more to see, less travel.

 

Are you by Lower Uncton? I always wanted to go there after seeing Married with Children.

 

"a nice British chick in the passenger seat "

if you can find one without rotten teeth!

btw... if you run into Madonna over there, do us all a favor and run her over.

 

BTW - Stonehenge is (was?) under excavation, so probably even less to see/do there now...

 

I just got back from living in London for 4 months, and as far as I know, Stonehenge is not under excavation.

Definitely would not spend more than a few hours around that area....theres really nothing to see! Go a little farther to the town of Bath...its a nice little city. But definitely go hang out in London, its the best city EVER!

Also, I don't know how long you will be there and how much time you have, but try to get up to Oxford and tour the MINI factory. I did it, and it was a fantastic time. A definite must for any MINI enthusiast!!

 

the roadside emergency kit with a miniature air compressor is a nice addition to your MINI.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7322134.stm

They're finally gonna do it

 

A tour of the MINI factory! Duh, why didn't I think of that when I lived there? Probably because I wasn't a MINI owner then, and never imagined I'd be one! But now that I are one, that would be what I would do instead of Stonehenge - definitely.

Oh yea, and a cricket game. You must see a cricket game. Once you get the hang of it, it's actually a cool sport. It's definitely as boring as baseball, but still worth every bit of the five days that it takes to watch one!

 

Cool! Can't wait for that program. I was there in Nov. 1969 and there were no restrictions. We walked across Salisbury Plain from a youth hostle and had a wonderful time.

I think the thing to do would be to find a shop in London that is dedicated to MINI accessories and see what they have that we probably know nothing about. According to a friend from the Isle of Wight, MINIs are dead common over there. So, should be places that specialize in MINI stuff.

 

I always wondered where you got the inspiration for all that great stuff, Robin. Now we know...you were in London in '69